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Passengers take photos of the Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 scheduled to make the carrier's last regular U.S. departure on the jet at Detroit Metro Airport on Dec. 17, 2017. The airline is retiring jet from regular passenger service this week, and altogether by the end of the year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

A Delta Air Lines captain wears a Boeing 747-400 pin celebrating the jet's time in service at Detroit Metro Airport on Dec. 17, 2017. The airline is retiring jet from regular passenger service this week, and altogether by the end of the year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

A pilot peruses a series of historical posters that show Delta Air Lines' history with the Boeing 747 at Detroit Metro Airport on Dec. 17, 2017. The airline is retiring jet from regular passenger service this week, and altogether by the end of the year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Passengers look at historical posters showing Delta Air Lines' history with the Boeing 747 at Detroit Metro Airport on Dec. 17, 2017. The airline is retiring jet from regular passenger service this week, and altogether by the end of the year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

What would be Delta Air Lines' last scheduled passenger Boeing 747 awaits its final flight to Seoul, South Korea, as another company Boeing 747 taxis in from another flight at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Dec. 17, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

Passengers look at historical posters detailing Delta Air Lines' history with the Boeing 747 at Detroit Metro Airport on Dec. 17, 2017. The airline is retiring jet from regular passenger service this week, and altogether by the end of the year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

The Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 scheduled to make the carrier's last-ever U.S. departure on the jet awaits its final flight to Seoul, South Korea at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Dec. 17, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY

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ROMULUS, Mich. -- The Queen of the Skies isn’t quite ready to relinquish her throne at Delta Air Lines.

The carrier’s last regularly scheduled U.S. departure of its Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet had been scheduled for Sunday afternoon to Seoul, South Korea. But a last-minute crew issue got in the way, pushing the 747's final U.S. departure back by a day.

"Delta's expected last scheduled flight of the 747 was unfortunately cancelled Sunday due to an inability to fully staff the flight with its required four pilots," Delta said in a statement.

The airline said it provided lodging and hotel rooms to those booked on the flights, adding it "exhausted all options to prevent the cancellation and apologizes to the customers delayed and inconvenienced."

While the last minute setback may have temporarily stopped the flight, it did not stop folks from stopping by to pay a last visit to the airplane as it sat at its gate in Detroit.

“We decided we wanted to come over and say good-bye to her,” flight attendant Rebecca Cunningham said after snapping a few selfies with the jet alongside fellow flight attendant Donna Hopson.

“It makes me sad that it's old and retiring. It's been such a workhorse,” Cunningham said. Her time with the jet goes all the way back to July of 1970, on a flight between New York and Los Angeles, she reckoned. She was working with American Airlines at the time and recalls when the upper deck had a piano bar lounge that she once shared with the likes of Elvis and Liberace.

A control pane for Delta's Premium Select international-style premium economy seats is seen during a media demonstration flight over the U.S. Southeast on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017. Daryl Bjoraas, Gannett

As with Boeing's 787, larger-than-normal windows are a hallmark of Airbus' A350 model. Seen here is the pre-takeoff view from a Delta demonstration flight on the A350 on Oct. 17, 2017. Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

An hour later, flight attendants Judith Fischer and Mary Robliecki are pausing in front of the window to take in some of their last moments with the jet.

For Fischer, it was the jumbo jet that got her hooked on what turned into a lifelong career, or as they both call it – a lifestyle.

“When I was a kid in Minneapolis, the jumbo jets would fly right over my home. And I said to myself, 'some day I'm gonna fly on that airplane'',” said Fischer. She recalls her mission of saving up just enough money to take her first flight shortly after graduating high school.

“I went to the travel agent and said “where can you send me on a jumbo jet?”, adding that she preferred somewhere exotic. The travel agency booked her on a flight to Hawaii, and she was hooked.

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We asked readers to share their photos of the legendary Boeing 747. Here are some of our favorites. Pictured: United Airlines 747-400 over San Francisco Bay during Fleet Week Air Show 2012. Cory Christian, Your Take

E-4B Nightwatch - a specially modified Boeing 747-200B built to serve as a survivable airborne mobile command post.
Caught this doing pattern work at Rick Husband International Airport in Amarillo, Texas, on March 12, 2013. Anthony Boyer, Your Take

The B-747 carried more than just people. The general rule was if it fit through the huge cargo door, it would be flown to anywhere in the world. I flew for Tigers for 12 years, and the 747 was and still is a great aircraft. Larry Bollrud, Your Take

This NASA 747, registered N911NA, first used in 1991 to ferry the Endeavor from California to Florida. Seen here
carrying the Discovery during a stopover in Amarillo, Texas, on 20 Sep 2009, following mission STS-128. Anthony Boyer, Your Take

For several years, I have wanted to travel to photograph a 747 parked in front of the fountains at Detroit
Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. To me, it seemed like this spot captured the joy of air travel. Jack Harty, Your Take

She applied to work for the airline three years later -- ”the minute I turned 21,” she said — and began a career that she estimates spans 25 to 30 million miles aloft. Much of it, she says, was on board the big Boeing.

Fischer has the luxury of adding at least a few hundred more miles to that tally later this week. She'll be on board a special, employee-only flight between Atlanta and Minneapolis on Wednesday.

“There's a lump in my throat,” said Fischer, reflecting on the knowledge that it'll be her last.

For Rolbiecki, her final flight has likely already come and gone.

“Last time I got off, I said 'this will be the last time I fly it',” she said as tears welled up in her eyes.

Remembering her first experience with the jet, she said: “It was my second flight ever flying [with Northwest]: Minneapolis to Tokyo Narita, in 1973. It was like, 'wow'...”

“How can an airplane make us feel that way?," Fischer added.

“It's all the journey, all the adventures,” said Rolbiecki.

For the airline more broadly, the 747's adventures are not quite over yet. Delta’s last scheduled passenger 747 is now scheduled to fly from Detroit to Seoul on Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. ET, a flight that will operate as Flight 9859.

A heavy-duty .50-calibur machine gun, no longer active, keeps watch over North Seattle during a flight aboard a 71-year-old restored B-24 World War II-era bomber on June 26, 2015. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

Col. Ken Wheeler, a 92-year-old World War II veteran and B-17 bomber navigator, pauses to study a .50-calibur heavy machine gun while on a World War II-era B-24 bomber flight over Seattle on June 26, 2015. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

The soon-to-be home of Southwest Airlines in Houston Hobby is seen under construction on June 19, 2015. The ticketing concourse is part of the new international terminal, set to open later this year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

An escalator stands ready to shuttle Houston Hobby's soon-to-come international passengers to customs inside the airport's international terminal, still under construction, on June 19, 2015. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

The new home of Southwest Airlines in Houston Hobby is seen under construction on June 19, 2015. The ticketing concourse is part of the new international terminal, set to open later this year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

The soon-to-be home of Southwest Airlines in Houston Hobby is seen under construction on June 19, 2015. The ticketing concourse is part of the new international terminal, set to open later this year. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

About to end a 16+ hour journey, an Emirates Airbus A380 superjumbo sails over a Boeing 747-8 as it lands at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport on June 19, 2015. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

The distinct blue, white and gold globe of United Airlines repeats itself on a series of Boeing 737s at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport on June 19, 2015. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

Banks of computers and test equipment line the interior of Boeing's ecoDemonstrator 757, seen during a media tour in early June 2015. The airplane tests a variety of new technologies on board, including non-stick wing surfaces to reduce bug residue. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USATod

Sunday’s flight had been expected to the last time that a 747 would depart a U.S. airport for a U.S. carrier on a regularly scheduled passenger flight. Delta is retiring the 747 from its fleet in favor of newer, more-efficient two-engine jets.

Sunday’s flight and its subsequent return from Seoul would have marked Delta’s last-ever round-trip on a 747 that was sold by the carrier as a standard flight.

The 747 will continue to fly for Delta through the end of December on a handful of charter flights – and on a multi-leg employee farewell tour – but those few remaining flights were not bookable as part of Delta’s standard flight schedule.

Now, with the push-back of the final U.S. departure of Delta’s 747 to Monday, it appeared possible that the return – and the airline’s last-ever regular flight on the jet – would slide from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Once that flight – Delta Flight 158 – arrives to Detroit from Seoul, the 747 will no longer be flying regular flights for any U.S. passenger carrier. However, it will still fly in the fleets of some U.S. cargo carriers.

As for Delta’s last 747s, it plans to wrap up its remaining charter flying by New Year’s Day. The company’s final 747 still in operation is expected to be flown to an airplane salvage “boneyard” during the first week of January.

The jet will largely be replaced by Delta's new Airbus A350-900s, on which the airline has rolled out a new premium economy cabin and swanky new suites.

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Special menus and gift bags await passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 passenger flight on Nov. 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jets after 47 years. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines' last Boeing 747 takes off over San Francisco on its last passenger flight on November 7, 2017. It is the last passenger flight the jet will ever make for the airline after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

“I had to be here,” said passenger John Vanderford, shown here on the right, as he partied with other Flight 747 customers prior to boarding. “It’s the last 747 flight. I remember flying it as a kid, on this exact route — San Francisco to Honolulu." Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

A decidedly retro look for one passenger aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017. The airline went with a special 1970s theme for the final flight, which ended 47 years of 747 service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines flight attendants Thu-ha Nguyen, left, and Jamie Chin take a selfie before boarding United Airlines' last Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017, in San Francisco. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz poses for portraits aboard the carrier's last Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017 in San Francisco. The airline is retiring the iconic jet after 47 years. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

Passengers Dominic and Monica Fabian of San Francisco pose in front of a banner sending off the United Airlines Boeing 747 at San Francisco International Airport on Nov. 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

A passenger holds a special plaque commemorating several other first and last flights he's done over the years before boarding United AIrlines' last Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz poses for portraits aboard the carrier's last Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017 in San Francisco. The airline is retiring the iconic jet after 47 years. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

Mechanic Ron Lostica, a 31-year United Airlines veteran, poses for a photo aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 before its final passenger flight on Nov. 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren for USA TODAY

A water dispenser, relic of an earlier time, waits for a thirsty passenger in the sidewall of the economy cabin aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Captains David Smith, left, and Tom Spratt, right, finish preflight departure checks on the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on November 7, 2017 in San Francisco. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A passenger board the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on November 7, 2017 in San Francisco. The flight was the last after 47 years of 747 service with United. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines employees line up for a goodbye photo as the last company Boeing 747 taxis out for its final passenger flight on November 7, 2017 in San Francisco. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines' last Boeing 747 takes off over San Francisco on its last passenger flight on November 7, 2017. It is the last passenger flight the jet will ever make for the airline after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines' last Boeing 747 takes off over San Francisco on its last passenger flight on November 7, 2017. It is the last passenger flight the jet will ever make for the airline after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve meals to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines' last Boeing 747 takes off over San Francisco on its last passenger flight on November 7, 2017. It is the last passenger flight the jet will ever make for the airline after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines' last Boeing 747 takes off over San Francisco on its last passenger flight on November 7, 2017. It is the last passenger flight the jet will ever make for the airline after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines' last Boeing 747 takes off over San Francisco on its last passenger flight on November 7, 2017. It is the last passenger flight the jet will ever make for the airline after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve drinks to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on November 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve drinks to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on November 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

70s themed movies play on the TV screen during the last United Airlines Boeing 747 passenger flight on November 7, 2017. The airline recreated the first flight from the 1970s. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve meals to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve meals to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve meals to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on November 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve meals to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on Nov. 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Crew members serve meals to passengers aboard the last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight on November 7, 2017. The airline is retiring the jet after 47 years of service. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Taking the 1970s theme of United Airlines' last Boeing 747 quite seriously, a passenger dressed in a lime green leisure suit 'lights a smoke' aboard the last Boeing 747 flight for the jet on November 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

United Airlines employees brave a heavy rainstorm in Honolulu to great the arrival of the last company Boeing 747 flight after arriving in Honolulu on November 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A lei made of old trash bags, custom-made by United employees, lies atop the last passenger Boeing 747 for United Airiines in Honolulu after completing its final passenger flight on November 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren special for USA TODAY

A lei made of old trash bags, custom-made by United employees, lies atop the last passenger Boeing 747 for United Airiines in Honolulu after completing its final passenger flight on Nov. 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A lei made of old trash bags, custom-made by United employees, lies atop the last passenger Boeing 747 for United Airlines in Honolulu after completing its final passenger flight on November 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

Passengers deboard the final United Airlines Boeing 747 flight after arriving in Honolulu on November 7, 2017. The flight ended 47 years of service for the carrier. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A lei made of old trash bags, custom-made by United employees, lies atop the last passenger Boeing 747 for United Airlines in Honolulu after completing its final passenger flight on Nov. 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A lei made of old trash bags, custom-made by United employees, lies atop the last passenger Boeing 747 for United Airlines in Honolulu after completing its final passenger flight on Nov. 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY

A lei made of old trash bags, custom-made by United employees, lies atop the last passenger Boeing 747 for United Airlines in Honolulu after completing its final passenger flight on November 7, 2017. Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special for USA TODAY